Jewelry holds both monetary and sentimental value, so it’s important to take proper care of your pieces to keep them in excellent condition.
Over time, dirt, debris, and daily grime can accumulate on your jewelry, causing it to lose its shine and potentially lead to damage.
Regularly cleaning your rings, earrings, and necklaces is a simple and effective way to maintain their beauty. The good news is that you don’t need to rely on professional jewelry polish or expensive products to bring back the luster of your favorite gems.
There are plenty of homemade jewelry cleaners that use budget-friendly ingredients you likely already have at home.
Clean Jewelry by Type
When cleaning your jewelry, it’s important to consider the type of jewelry you have, as certain methods work best for specific types.
For instance, soft gemstones are more delicate and require gentler cleaning methods compared to gold and platinum. It’s crucial to understand the composition of your jewelry, and if you’re unsure, it’s better to be cautious and have a professional examine it.
When it comes to cleaning Silver Jewelry, metals are generally more resilient than gemstones.
You can use a homemade jewelry cleaner to soak and scrub your silver pieces, ensuring they regain their shine. Soaking silver jewelry in the cleaner for a few minutes and then using a soft brush or cloth to scrub is typically safe.
Silver is prone to tarnish, especially without regular upkeep, so you may need to invest some extra time in cleaning these pieces. If basic cleaning doesn’t suffice, there are specific silver cleaning tips that can help remove tarnishes.
Gold Jewelry can be cleaned using various methods such as Dish Soap, ammonia glass cleaner, or even hot water.
Similar to silver, you can give gold jewelry a thorough scrub when necessary, but it’s important to use a soft toothbrush or a small brush designed specifically for jewelry.
When it comes to jewelry with gemstones, extra caution is required.
Each stone has its setting, and over time these settings can become loose, posing a risk of stones falling out. Before attempting to clean jewelry with gemstones at home, it’s advisable to have them examined by a jeweler to ensure all settings are secure and no stones are loose.
For jewelry with hard gemstones like diamond, ruby, sapphire, emerald, topaz, garnet, and quartz, you can use various at-home cleaning methods.
However, soft gemstones such as pearls, opal, jade, aquamarine, and onyx require special care. It’s best to avoid scrubbing these stones and instead clean them gently with a bar of mild soap and lukewarm water.
By following these guidelines and using the appropriate cleaning methods for your jewelry, you can ensure that your precious pieces remain beautiful and well-maintained for years to come.
Clean Jewelry with Hot Water
Using hot water is an effective and cost-efficient method for cleaning hard metal jewelry.
The heat and steam help loosen dirt and debris, making it easy to wipe them away. Here’s how to clean your jewelry with hot water:
Pour Water Over the Jewelry: Place your jewelry in a heatproof container and slowly pour boiling water over them until they are fully submerged.
Soak and Wipe Away Grime: Allow the jewelry to soak for a few minutes or until the water cools down.
Then, remove the pieces and gently wipe away the grime using a clean cloth. Depending on the level of dirtiness, some pieces may require additional scrubbing even after soaking.
Dry the Jewelry: Let the jewelry air-dry before storing it or use a clean cloth to gently dry it.
It’s important to note that this cleaning method is not suitable for pearls, opals, and certain gemstones. Reserve it for cleaning silver, gold, platinum, diamonds, and other hard stones.
Clean Jewelry with Household Ingredients
Creating a DIY jewelry cleaner with household ingredients can be a quick and safe way to clean your jewelry.
However, it’s important to research the specific type of metal or stone in your jewelry before proceeding. Here are a few popular at-home Cleaning Solutions:
Use Antibacterial Cleaner: You don’t need a specialized jewelry cleaner to make your jewelry sparkle.
Pour a few inches of your preferred antibacterial cleaner into a glass bowl and place your jewelry in it. Allow the jewelry to sit for five minutes, during which time the buildup should start to settle at the bottom of the bowl.
Afterward, assess if a simple pat-dry is enough or if additional scrubbing is needed.
Clean Jewelry with baking soda or Heartburn Tablets: Baking soda and effervescent heartburn tablets can create a chemical reaction when mixed with water.
This reaction produces bubbles and fizz that help remove buildup from your jewelry. Place the jewelry in a small bowl, cover it with water, and add the baking soda or heartburn tablet.
Let it soak for a few minutes, then remove the jewelry from the bowl and wipe it with a cleaning cloth. This method is best suited for cleaning diamond rings, silver, and gold, and should not be used on pearls or soft gemstones.
Clean Jewelry with Dish Soap: A gentle dishwashing soap can effectively clean most metal jewelry pieces.
Mix 1 teaspoon of dish soap with a cup of hot water and let your jewelry soak for a few minutes. If necessary, use a soft toothbrush to scrub the pieces gently.
This method works well for mild stains, tarnishes, and general wear-and-tear, particularly when cleaning sterling silver. However, it may not be strong enough for major spots, rust, or heavy buildup.
Clean Jewelry with Glass Cleaner: In a pinch, regular glass cleaner can be used for a quick scrub.
Simply spray the cleaner directly onto the jewelry and either gently scrub or wipe it away. Be sure to rinse the jewelry with water afterward.
However, this method should only be used on gold, platinum, silver, and diamonds, as the chemicals in glass cleaners can harm other stones and metals.
Clean Jewelry with a Toothbrush
A clean, soft-bristle toothbrush can be a useful tool for cleaning jewelry, especially when trying to reach small nooks and crannies.
Here’s how to clean jewelry with a toothbrush:
Scrub with a Soft Toothbrush: For light spots or dirt, you can scrub the jewelry using water alone.
For tougher buildup, use a toothbrush along with one of the homemade jewelry cleaners mentioned above. However, it’s not recommended to use toothpaste, as it can easily scratch and damage your jewelry.
Rinse and Dry Jewelry: After scrubbing, rinse the jewelry with water to remove any residue.
Then, wipe it clean with a microfiber cloth. Avoid air-drying, as it may leave water spots.
Ensure that your jewelry is properly stored and organized to protect it when not in use.
Remember to always consider the specific materials and gemstones in your jewelry before choosing a cleaning method, and when in doubt, consult a professional jeweler for advice.
*The information is for reference only.
